Skip to Main Content

Teaching & Learning in a Neurodiverse Community

Resources for faculty and staff supporting a wide variety of learners.

About this Guide

This guide has three key objectives:

  • Define key terms
  • Offer strategies for supporting positive learning experiences
  • Provide resources for additional understanding and exploration

Key Terms

Neurodiversity is the concept that "people differ in neurocognitive functioning just as they do in many other physiological and psychological aspects". While it originated in reference to autism, it has come to represent the wide variety of ways that people think, process, and learn.

Neurodivergent refers to "people who process information and behave in a way that differs from the actual or perceived norms of a particular culture". Today, this includes those who were born with specific diagnosed differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

Neurotypical refers to those who "think, feel, and process information in a manner that aligns with traditional societal standards". Those who do not identify as having specific neurological diagnoses are considered neurotypical.

Link to Mitchell HubAll Mitchell faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the Mitchell Hub: Defining Neurodiversity course via Moodle.  If you are not able to log into Moodle, please contact asklis@mitchell.edu

Creating a Neurodiversity Mindset

Mitchell College History

Mitchell College has a long history of serving diverse learners, dating back to its origins as the first junior college in southeastern Connecticut.